Rain interrupts final weekend of season for Cranberry Township Community Pool
Thunderstorms on Saturday, Aug. 31, put a damper on Cranberry Township Community Pool’s final weekend of the season.
The pool was open to only members and residents for the duration of Labor Day weekend because of a lack of staff. But the chance of severe weather likely had a direct effect on the amount of people that were willing to spend the day there.
“It just depends on the day, and it depends on the time of year honestly,” said Paige Welch, a first-year manager who has worked at the pool for the last seven years, on whether the rain dramatically affects turnout. “This time of year with school and this being the last weekend and being member and resident only, we may get less people because of that.”
The township is always trying to improve the experience for the public. In recent years, a water “dump bucket” and a water climbing wall were added to the facility. The waterslide was freshly painted, new concession food was added and lane lines were implemented during regular operating hours to reduce wait times and overcrowding.
All of that combined with the warmer temperatures the past few summers has led to a steady rise in daily attendees.
“This year it’s been pretty good,” Welch said. “Over the past few years, we’re starting to get a lot of nonresidents. We have a lot of people from Beaver and Aliquippa that are coming on the daily. The numbers have kicked up. It’s felt steady the past two to three years, but it just depends on the day. Like if it’s Memorial Day or Fourth of July weekend, it’s crazy.”
The pool is also a reliable source of income for high school and college students alike. The facility employs about 180 people, with about 60 working on a typical summer day. About half of those oversee the safety of the pool like third-year lifeguard Gavin Horn, a Seneca Valley senior who thoroughly enjoys his work.
“I mostly started for the money because I thought it would be nice for a part-time job,” said Horn. “I really enjoy the job, though, talking to a lot of people and helping people. I work with my friends and I’m here all the time during the summer. We go out after work. I just think it’s a pretty good job.”
